We investigate, in any space-time dimension ≥3, the problem of consistent couplings for a (finite or infinite) collection of massless, spin-2 fields described, in the free limit, by a sum of Pauli-Fierz actions. We show that there is no consistent (ghost-free) coupling, with at most two derivatives of the fields, that can mix the various "gravitons". In other words, there are no Yang-Mills-like spin-2 theories. The only possible deformations are given by a sum (or integral) of individual Einstein-Hilbert actions. The impossibility of cross-couplings subsists in the presence of scalar matter. Our approach is based on the BRST-based deformation point of view and uses results on the so-called "characteristic cohomology" for massless spin-2 fields which are explained in detail. © 2001 Elsevier Science B.V.
Inconsistency of interacting, multi-graviton theories / Nicolas, Boulanger; Thibault, Damour; Gualtieri, Leonardo; Marc, Henneaux. - In: NUCLEAR PHYSICS. B. - ISSN 0550-3213. - 597:1-3(2001), pp. 127-171. [10.1016/s0550-3213(00)00718-5]
Inconsistency of interacting, multi-graviton theories
GUALTIERI, Leonardo;
2001
Abstract
We investigate, in any space-time dimension ≥3, the problem of consistent couplings for a (finite or infinite) collection of massless, spin-2 fields described, in the free limit, by a sum of Pauli-Fierz actions. We show that there is no consistent (ghost-free) coupling, with at most two derivatives of the fields, that can mix the various "gravitons". In other words, there are no Yang-Mills-like spin-2 theories. The only possible deformations are given by a sum (or integral) of individual Einstein-Hilbert actions. The impossibility of cross-couplings subsists in the presence of scalar matter. Our approach is based on the BRST-based deformation point of view and uses results on the so-called "characteristic cohomology" for massless spin-2 fields which are explained in detail. © 2001 Elsevier Science B.V.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
